The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on Nov. 6 that it held the 8th National Research and Development (R&D) Project Evaluation Coordination Committee this year and confirmed the exemption of preliminary feasibility studies for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources’ project to develop artificial intelligence (AI)-based fully autonomous navigation ship technology.

The government will finalize the project budget after reviewing the adequacy of future business plans and begin R&D next year. This project was previously applied for with a scale of 600 billion won, and the necessity of preliminary feasibility study exemption was recognized at the Cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee Jae-myung last month.

Through this, the government will secure core technologies for implementing Level 4 autonomous navigation ships, including unmanned navigation, engine automation, and operation. Like autonomous vehicles, autonomous navigation ships are also divided into four levels of technology: Level 1, which requires crew decision-making support; Level 2, where crew members board and perform remote control; Level 3, which involves only remote control without crew boarding; and Level 4, which operates completely unmanned. Currently, domestic technology is at Level 3.

The government has decided to invest a total of 302.6 billion won in a project to develop future plate technology, which was exempted from preliminary feasibility studies last year, over 11 years after adequacy review. Park In-kyu, director of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, “We will actively invest in innovative R&D investments that lead to national growth engines and projects of high national importance,” adding, “We will strive to ensure that science and technology becomes a solid foundation for the sustainable development of our society.”